Apparatus for hydrolyzing cellulosic materials



G. ROSSI Aug. 28, 1956 APPARATUS FOR HYDROLYZING CELLULOSIC MATERIALS Filed June 7, 1.952

2 Sheets-Sheet l Hill INVENTOR. /WmMM/ {WM BY WW 5. M aw Aug. 28, 1956 G. Rossl 2,760,349

APPARATUS FOR HYDROLYZING CELLULOSIC MATERIALS Filed June 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY Q Wm MW HAW s. m

AJ'J Y United States Patent APPARATUS FOR HYDROLYZING CELLULOSIC MATERIALS The present invention relates to a material treatment apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for hydrolyzing cellulosic materials.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for hydrolyzing cellulosic materials which can be speedily and easily opened and closed so that a great number of charges can be processed without prolongated interruptions required for filling and emptying of the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent froma further reading of the specification and the appended claims.

With the above objects in view, the present invention mainly consists in a material treatment apparatus comprising, in combination, stationary support means, tubular container means open at opposite ends and mounted on the stationary support means for swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to the stationary support means, closure members mounted on the stationary support means for closing the opposite ends of the tubular container means when the latter means is in the first position, and being laterally spaced from the opposite ends thereof when the tubular container means is in the second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

The novel featureswhich are considered as characteristics for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims- The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is anelevational view of the apparatus in an operative position;'

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus with theparts shown in another operative position;

Fig 3 is'a plan view of the apparatus taken fromabove as shown in Fig. 2; I 1

Fig. 4 is an elevational view partlyin section taken on line 44 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 5 is a plan view partially in-cross-section taken along line 5'5 in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view taken alongline 66 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. 1, two tubular container means A are shown, each pivotally connected to the center upright 2 of stationary support means B by two brackets 6 and two vertical pins 4 which are attached to each container means A. Pins 4 engage perforated horizontal extensions 27 attached to ment however being limited by brackets 6. Each tubular I container means A may be closed atits open ends by Patented Aug. 28, 1956 closure members which are shown as cover D closing the upper open end and cover C closing the lower open end of container means A.

Each container means A is adapted to rotate around pins 4 when disengaged from covers D and C so as to assume the position indicated in Fig. 2.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, cover D is firmly connected with the upper cross piece of stationary support means B, while cover C is supported by hydraulic or pneumatic means E. Hydraulic or pneumatic means E are capable of moving upwardly and downwardly in vertical direction, and by moving upwardly cover C is pressed against the lower open end of container means A. Thereby container means A are pushed upwardly until the upper open end of container means A firmly engages the stationary cover D. The upward pressure provided by pneumatic or hydraulic means E thus causes a tight fit between lower cover C and lower open end of container meals A, as well as between upper open end of container means A and upper cover D.

When moving in downward direction, pneumatic or hydraulic means E cause release of the tight fit between container means A and covers C and D. Container means A resting on cover C moves downwardly and away from stationary cover D. The downward movement of container means A is however limited by brackets 6 which come to rest on horizontal extensions 27 of center upright 55. Cover C, resting on pneumatic or hydraulic means E, moves further downwardly after downward movement of container means A has been stopped by contact between brackets 6 and extensions 27. Thus, container means A is first disengaged from cover D and subsequently also disengagedfrom cover C during the downward movement of hydraulic means E.

Container means A may now be partially rotated around pins 4. Rotation of tubular members A may be accomplished by hand or by any known mechanical device suitable for this purpose and is limited to moving container means A from the position indicated in Fig. 1 to the position indicated in Fig. 2. The positions indicated in Figs. 1 and 2are shown in relation to each other in Fig. 3, where covers D indicate the position of container means A as shown in Fig. 1.

Container means A which are shown'in Fig. 1 with covers C and D firmly adhering thereto may, after disengagement from covers C and D, be rotated around pins 4 to the extent necessary to align container means A with the shutes of hopper 16. In this position material to be treated may be filled into container means A from hopper 16. In the same position of container means A, treated material may be dumped through the lower open end of the same and removed by means known in the art.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a vertical shaft 8 having radial arms 10 and movable around its axis, is arranged inside container means A for mixing and stirring of the material being treated therein. Shaft 8 ends at its upper end in a coupling 15 which is located below the upper open end of tubular member A. Coupling 15 connects shaft 8 with shaft 16. Shaft 16 and the portion of coupling 15 rigidly connected thereto may be raised above the upper open end of container means A in order to permit container means A to clear the upper portion of coupling 15, and shaft 16' when rotating around pin 4. Driving means for shaft 16' are not shown and may be any suitable driving means known in the art.

Upward and downward movement of shaft 16 and the upper portion of coupling 15 is accomplished by a system of levers. v

As shown in Fig. 1 and partially in Fig. 3, two-arm lever 20 is connected at one end with hydraulic or pneumatic means E, and upon downward movement of hydraulic or pneumatic means E-and consequent release of cover Cthe other end of two-arm lever 20 pushes rod 22 in upward direction, rod 22 actuates lever 24 and thus causes movement of rod 22 in downward direction. The upper end of rod 22' is connected with one end of twoarm lever 18. Downward movement of rod 22 causes the end of two-arm lever 13 connected with rod 22 to move downwardly and thereby causes the other end of lever 18 to move upwardly. This other end of lever 18 engages shaft 16 and consequently upward movement of this upper end of lever 18 causes upward movement of shaft 16' to a suflicient degree for shaft 16 and the portion of coupling rigidly connected with shaft 16 to clear the upper open end of tubular member A.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a hinged diaphragm 26 is arranged in the upper portion of container means A. This diaphragm, when in horizontal position, prevents upward passage of material to be treated under the influence of steam or other fluids entering container means A from below. The diaphragm is prevented from swinging upwardly by suitable means such as for instance a radial member 3%) also serving as a support member for agitator shaft 8 arranged above diaphragm 26, or by a bolt blocking upward opening of the diaphragm, The diaphragm 26 is however adapted to swing downwardly if weight is brought to bear on it from above. Thus, when filling container means A with material from hopper 16, the material falling on diaphragm 2-6 will cause downward swinging of diaphragm 26 about its hinges and thus permit the material to flow downwardly into tubular member A,

As shown in Fig. 4, and in detail in Fig. 6, hinged diaphragm 12 is located in the lower portion of tubular member A, adjacent to the lower open end thereof, as a retaining means for retaining material inside container means A. As stated further above, container means A may rotate around pin 4 from a closed treating position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to a filling and emptying position, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which container means A is no longer covered on both open ends by covers C and D. In order to prevent spilling of material during movement of container means A to the filling and emptying position, hinged diaphragm 12 is prevented from opening downwardly by a fixed stop or cam means, as shown in Fig. 6 as movable supports 28. Upon reaching emptying position, these movable supports 28 are turned and hinged diaphragm 12 swings open downwardly under the weight of the treated material in container means A. Thus the treated material is released. Prior to returning container means A from the second, or emptying and filling position, to the first, or treating position, diaphragm 12 is again to be horizontally positioned and secured by movable supports 28.

In order to assure tight closure between container means A and covers C and D, these covers are so connected to stationary support means B as to permit limited movement around a point in the outer center of the respective cover. Thereby a tight fit and exertion of even pressure around the entire rim of the cover and the rim of the corresponding open end of the tubular member will also be achieved in cases where the upper rim of tubular container means A does not lie in a perfect horizontal plane.

While in the illustrated embodiment the opening and closing of diaphragm 12 is indicated as to be effected by hand, it is of course within the scope of the present invention to provide means for automatically opening diaphragm 12 prior to discharging the treated material from container means A when a predetermined point has been reached during the partial rotation of container means A from the first to the second position.

and the container means A, and except for the vertical up and downward movement of cover C which is controlled by hydraulic means E.

Covers C and D are provided with inlet and outlet means for fluids such as for instance steam or solutions of chemicals which may be used in the treatment of the material in container means A.

Hopper 16 which serves as material supply means, and is mounted on stationary support means B, may be equipped with a measuring device so as to discharge a predetermined amount of material into a container means A when the same is in the second position.

Operation of the material treatment apparatus according to the present invention can be rendered automatic to a desired degree by means known in the art and interconnecting the action of hydraulic or pneumatic means E with the partial rotation of tubular container means A around pin 4 and with the opening and closing of diaphragm 12.

While the tubular container means A in the illustrated preferred embodiment is shown to be of cylindrical shape, deviations from the cylindrical shape of tubular container means A, depending for instance on the requirements in connection with the particular material to be treated, are to be considered within the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of material treatment apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in material treatment apparatus for hydrolyzing cellulosic materials, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since' various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Material treatment apparatus, comprising in combination, stationary support means; tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to said stationary support means; a first cover member fixedly mounted on said stationary support means at one end of said tubular container means for closing the same when said container means is in said first position; a second cover member mounted on said stationary support means in alignment with said first cover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the opposite end of said tubular container means and urging said container means against said first cover memher so as to close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said second position; and retaining means for releasably holding material within said container means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

2. Material treatment apparatus, comprising, in combination, stationary support means; vertical tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for horizontal swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to said stationary support means; a top cover member fixedly mounted on said stationary support means above said tubular container means for closing the same when said container means is in said first position; a bottom cover member mounted on said stationary support means below said tubular container means in alignment with said top cover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the bottom end of said tubular container means and urging said container means against said top cover member so as to close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said second position; and retaining means for releasably holding material within said container means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

3. Material treatment apparatus, comprising in combination, stationary support means; tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to said stationary support means; a first cover member fixedly mounted on said stationary support means at one end of said tubular container means for closing the same when said container means is in said first position; a second cover member mounted on said stationary support means in alignment with said firstcover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the opposite end of said tubular container means and urging said container means against said first cover member so as to-close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said second position; and hinged diaphragm means for releasably holding material within said container means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

4. Material treatment apparatus, comprising in combination, stationary support means; tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to said stationary support means; a first cover member fixedly mounted on said stationary support means at one end of said tubular container means for closing the same when said container means is in said first position; a second cover member mounted on said stationary support means in alignment with said first cover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the opposite end of said tubular container means and urging said container means against said first cover member so as to close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said second position; and hinged diaphragm means at opposite ends of said tubular container means for releasably holding material within said container means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

5. Material treatment apparatus, comprising in combination, stationary support means; tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for movement along its longitudinal axis and for swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to said stationary support means; material treating means arranged within said container means; actuating means adjacent one end of said container means adapted to engage said material treating means for actuating the same when said container means is in its first position; a first cover member fixedly mounted on said sta* tionary support means at one end of said tubular container means for closing the same when said container means is in said first position; a second cover member mounted on said stationary support means in alignment with said first cover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the opposite end of said tubular container means, connecting said material treating means with said actuating means and urging said container means against said first cover member so as to close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said second position; and retaining means for releasably holding material Within said container means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

6. Material treatment apparatus, comprising in combination, stationary support means; tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to said stationary support means; material treating means arranged within said container means; actuating means adjacent said one end of said container means adapted to engage said material treating means for actuating the same when said container means is in its first position; a first cover member fixedly mounted on said stationary support means at one end of said tubular container means for closing the same when said container means is in said first position; a second cover member mounted on said stationary support means in alignment with said first cover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the opposite end of said tubular container means, connecting said material treating means with said actuating means and urging said container means against said first cover member so as to close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said second position; and connecting means connecting said second cover member and said actuating means and movable with said second cover member for moving said actuating means into and out of said container means for engaging and disengaging said material treating means; and retaining means for releasably holding material within said container means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

7. Material treatment apparatus, comprising in comblnation, stationary support means; tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for movement along its longitudinal axis and swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to said stationary support means; a first cover member fixedly mounted on said stationary support means at one end of said tubular container means for closing the same when said container means is in said first position; a second cover member mounted on said stationary support means in alignment with said first cover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the opposite end of said tubular container means and urging said container means against said first cover member so as to close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said second position; and means for moving said second cover member axially against said tubular container means when the same is in said first position to thereby urge said tubular container means against said first cover member; and retaining means for releasably holding material within said container means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

8. Material treatment apparatus, comprising in combination, stationary support means; material supply means mounted on said stationary support means; tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for swinging movement transverse to its longitudinal axis between a first position away from said material supply means and a second position aligned with said material supply means; a first cover member fixedly mounted on said stationary support means at one end of said tubular container means for closing the same when said container means is in said first position; a second cover member mounted on said stationary support means in alignment with said first cover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the opposite end of said tubular container means and urging said container means against said first cover member so as to close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said secend position; and retaining means for releasably holding materiai within said container means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means may be moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

9. Material treatment apparatus, comprising in combination, stationary support means; vertical tubular container means open at its opposite ends and mounted on said stationary support means for vertical axial movement and for horizontal swinging movement transverse to its means is in said first position; a bottom cover member mounted on said stationary support means below said tubular container means in alignment with said top cover member and axially movable relative thereto for simultaneously closing the bottom end of said tubular container means, connecting said material agitating means with said actuating means and urging said container means against said top cover member so as to close said container means at both ends, said container means being laterally spaced from both said cover members when in said second position; and retaining means for releasably holding material within said container'means when the container means is in said second position, whereby the container means maybe moved between a closed position for treatment of material therein and an open position for discharge and filling thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. MATERIAL TREATMENT APPARATUS, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, STATIONARY SUPPORT MEANS; TUBULAR CONTAINER MEANS OPEN AT ITS OPPOSITE ENDS AND MOUNTED ON SAID STATIONARY SUPPORT MEANS FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT TRANSVERSE TO ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS BETWEEN A FIRST AND A SECOND POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID STATIONARY SUPPORT MEANS; A FIRST COVER MEMBER FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID STATIONARY SUPPORT MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID TUBULAR CONTAINER MEANS FOR CLOSING THE SAME WHEN SAID CONTAINER MEANS IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION; A SECOND COVER MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID STATIONARY SUPPORT MEANS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FIRST COVER MEMBER AND AXIALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CLOSING THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID TUBULAR CONTAINER MEANS AND URGING SAID CONTAINER MEANS AGAINST SAID FIRST COVER MEMBER SO AS TO CLOSE SAID CONTAINER MEANS AT BOTH ENDS, SAID CONTAINER MEANS BEING LATERALLY SPACED FROM BOTH SAID COVER MEMBERS WHEN IN SAID SECOND POSITION; AND RETAINING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING MATERIAL WITHIN SAID CONTAINER MEANS WHEN THE CONTAINER MEANS IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION, WHEREBY THE CONTAINER MEANS MAY BE MOVED BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITION FOR TREATMENT OF MATERIAL THEREIN AND AN OPEN POSITION FOR DISCHARGE AND FILLING THEREOF. 